Provisional police chief named in Wareham

Wednesday

Jun 17, 2009 at 12:01 AM

WAREHAM — It will be more than a year before the town has a permanent police chief to replace the recently retired Thomas Joyce, interim Town Administrator John Sanguinet told the Board of Selectmen Tuesday.

STEVE URBON

WAREHAM — It will be more than a year before the town has a permanent police chief to replace the recently retired Thomas Joyce, interim Town Administrator John Sanguinet told the Board of Selectmen Tuesday.

In the meantime, he said Lt. Irving Wallace has been tapped as provisional chief for the next 20 days while Sanguinet seeks candidates for the longer-term interim position.

Also at Tuesday's meeting, Chairman Bruce Sauvageau thanked his fellow board members for declining his offer last week that he resign amid the turmoil caused by the ongoing computer audit being conducted throughout town offices.

In response to e-mails and phone calls he said he has received, Sauvageau promised that the audit is being conducted "professionally and compassionately, and he promised the public a full report once it is completed.

"The people put us here for a reason," he said. "We are fully committed and obligated to carry out our mandate."

"It will say what it says," he said.

His remarks were preceded by a brief statement from Selectman Jane Donahue along the same lines, expressing thanks for the residents who have e-mailed and spoken to the board about the situation, offering support.

He said the board will have little more to say about the audit, and added that he thinks the lack of information is what is fueling much of the speculation and criticism around town.

The Board of Assessors last week wrote to Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz, asking him to investigate the possible unlawful copying of town residents and businesses' personal financial data during the sweep.

Former Police Chief Joyce resigned in late May as the town's computers were being copied off, including those in the Police Department. That led to one report, denied by Sanguinet, that pornography had been found on police computers.

In an executive session June 2, the audio of which was briefly broadcast on community television, the board discussed the good fortune of the timing of the chief's resignation and the way it appeared.

Tuesday, Sanguinet said the next scheduled civil service examination for police chiefs is next May, and the list of candidates won't be available until August. So in the meantime, he said he has contacted the Police Chiefs Association and other avenues, looking for candidates to fill the position until then. Donahue praised him for going outside the town for candidates.